1
: a tropical American tree (Crescentia cujete) of the bignonia family
also : its large hard-shelled globose fruit
2
: gourd
especially : one whose hard shell is used for a utensil
3
: a utensil (such as a bottle or dipper) made from the shell of a calabash

Examples of calabash in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The traditional cup is brown and made of a hollowed calabash gourd, but can be made of metal, ceramic or wood. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025 The precursor of the xylophone and marimba, a balafon is made by carefully cutting 21 wooden slats into different lengths, fixing them atop hallow calabashes, and striking them with mallets wound with the gum and sap of a rubber tree. Eliot Stein, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French & Spanish; French calebasse gourd, from Spanish calabaza

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of calabash was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near calabash

Cite this Entry

“Calabash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calabash. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

calabash

noun
: gourd sense 2
especially : one whose hard shell is used for a utensil (as a bottle)

More from Merriam-Webster on calabash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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